Dorfen's Puckjäger want to continue the upward trend without the top striker
Dorfen/Geretsried
– The successful return to play in the relegation round (4-2 win in Schweinfurt) gives the Dorfen fans hope that the ice pirates can meet the big challenge in today's third mission at 7:30 p.m. at ESC Geretsried.
After five games and nine points, the River Rats are in second place among the seven competitors for relegation in the Bayernliga.
In the previous encounters this season, the Isenstadt team have suffered three defeats (3:6 in Dorfen and 4:5 after extra time after a 4:0 lead at half time) and a 2:5 in the first playdown game four weeks ago in Dorfen Beech.
The Isartaler have lost at home in two games so far only with 3:4 goals after penalty shoot-out to leader TSV Erding.
In Schweinfurt they dropped the points with a 3:5.
However, Geretsried scored with a 4:2 at home against Königsbrunn and with a 5:4 after extra time in Pfaffenhofen.
Shortly before the turn of the year, former Dorffen trainer Randy Neal took over from Rudi Sternkopf, who retired for health reasons.
In front of the experienced goalkeeper Martin Morczinietz (37), Geretsried has a balanced ranks with some former Tölz players as well as the two Czech contingent players, defender Marek Haloda and top striker Ondrej Horvath.
While the Ice Pirates striker Basti Rosenkranz is once again convalescent, coach Franz Steer can call on regular players Florian Fischer (defender) and striker Philipp Schuhmann, who were recently missing for professional reasons.
The head coach, who was able to work well in three training sessions this week, will again start three blocks in the new Heinz-Schneider-Stadion.
The young overage players Maximilian Steiner and Raphael Steiger as well as striker Jonas Blaha are still injured.
GEORG BRENNAUER